by Guy Page

As he promised last Friday, Gov. Phil Scott has issued a formal veto of S.5, variously known as the ‘Clean Heat Standard,’ the “Affordable Heating Act,’ or (most recently) “an act relating to affordably meeting the mandated greenhouse gas reductions for the thermal sector through efficiency, weatherization measures, electrification, and decarbonization.”

A veto override session has been tentatively scheduled for June 20-22. Legislative leaders say they are confident the override (2/3 of lawmakers in each chamber) will succeed. Last, the attempt to override Scott’s veto of the Clean Heat Standard failed by a single vote.

In a veto letter to the Legislature issued yesterday, Scott said S.5 lacks transparency. Scott wanted a simple ‘check back’ – a thorough review by the Public Utilities Commission followed by an affirmative vote by the Legislature in two years. “Instead, the check back language in the bill is confusing, easily misconstrued, and contradictory to multiple portions of the bill,” Scott said.

He also said the bill’s “unknowns are too numerous,” posing a threat to the state’s economy, especially given Vermont’s measurable progress in carbon emissions reduction accomplished without S.5’s aggressive efforts to transition away from fossil fuel-based heating to electrification.

The full text of Scott’s veto letter appears below:

Pursuant to Chapter II, Section 11 of the Vermont Constitution, I’m returning S.5, An act relating to affordably meeting the mandated greenhouse gas reductions for the thermal sector through efficiency, weatherization measures, electrification, and decarbonization, without my signature because of my objections described herein:

As Governor, I believe we must make Vermont more affordable by helping Vermonters keep more of what they earn, while we simultaneously make transformative, strategic investments in important areas like community revitalization, climate action, housing, childcare, clean water, and broadband.

I also believe government transparency is essential to maintaining faith and trust in our democracy. When we pass laws, we must clearly communicate both the burdens and the benefits to Vermonters. From my perspective, S.5 conflicts with these principles, and I cannot support it.

It’s important to note despite significant concerns with the policy, I would not veto a bill that directs the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to design a potential clean heat standard – provided it’s returned to the Legislature, in bill form with all the details, and debated, amended, and voted on with the transparency Vermonters deserve.

The so-called “check back” in S.5 does not achieve my simple request. Instead, the “check back” language in the bill is confusing, easily misconstrued, and contradictory to multiple portions of the bill.

As I have repeatedly stated publicly, this veto could have been avoided had the Legislature eliminated the confusion and spelled out, in plain language, that the proposed plan would return to the Legislature to be considered for codification and voted on in bill form.

Again, I continue to fully support efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As the Legislature is well aware, more than any previous governor, I have proposed, supported, and invested hundreds of millions of dollars to reduce emissions in the transportation and thermal sectors. I’m also committed to following through on the work outlined in our thermal sector action plan.

Here’s the bottom line: The risk to Vermonters and our economy throughout the state is too great; the confusion around the language and the unknowns are too numerous; and we are making real and measurable progress reducing emissions with a more thoughtful, strategic approach that is already in motion.

For these reasons I cannot allow this bill to go into law. It’s my sincere hope that members of the Legislature will have the courage to put their constituents ahead of party politics and sustain this veto.

Editor’s note: Vermonters who wish to express their views to their representatives and senators may contact them via their official email accounts.